The competitiveness and innovation of European Union regions – a comparative analysis

Abstract

Competitiveness is a very broad concept. Some scientists define it with the emphasis on economic efficiency, others on innovativeness, and there are also those who will characterize its conceptual character from the environment in which it can appear on the market. Competitiveness can be captured both on a micro scale – in relation to individual enterprises or industries, as well as on a macro scale – in relation to entire countries. Often, one of the basic factors of a country’s economic development is its level of competitiveness. The RCI Index (Regional Competitiveness Index) is the main indicator measuring the level of competitiveness European Union countries and regions. On its basis, we can draw some conclusions about their development. The aim of the paper is to answer the question of what the level of competitiveness of individual regions of the European Union is and how much innovation in the European Union Member States affects their level of competitiveness. An attempt will be made to assess the level of development of the Member States on the basis of the analysed data.